Review of El Topo (1970) by Andrzej B — 17 Apr 2009

I'm tossing it up between a 3.5 or a 4 for this one. I saw a late night screening (with a really beautiful print, the film looked brand new!) and I was taken aback. I'm going to agree with others when it's a meet up of either Sergio Leone and Bunuel or even Jean Luc Godard and Sam Peckinpah or.

..something! El Topo has some really beautiful shots in it, lots of violence, and even some funny bits. I think some of the religious overtones are a bit overcooked and feel just a bit hippy drippy instead of anything strong.

Also, my god I shouldn't have seen this so late, this is a long movie that feels long. Some of the scenes could be cut. I mean, when you are making a movie as strange as this you have to be careful about overload.

There's a reason why Un Chien Andalou is a short film. No one I know could really stand 2 hours of it straight!